Phillip Phillips shines in ‘American Idol’ showcase

During the finale of the American Idol Live concert Sunday night at American Airlines Center, all the singers wore white outfits adorned with silvery sequins attached here and there.

All but one, that is.

Phillip Phillips, the winner of Season 11, apparently refused the sequin plan, opting instead for simple white. Even that was probably a stretch; earlier he’d performed in his trademark jeans and T-shirt combo. But he more than pleased the packed crowd of screaming, swooning fans. Yes, the show has crowned other soft-spoken guys as the winner — hello, Lee DeWyze — but Phillips manages to be both reserved and rousing at the same time.

“It’s like 200 degrees,” he said with that sultry voice, “and y’all just made it even hotter. You gave me vapors.”

Fully on board for all flashy attire was McKinney resident Hollie Cavanagh, who finished fourth this year. Standing on the massive stage, wearing shoes about as tall as she is, she belted out “Rollin’ in the Deep” and “Give Your Heart a Break” with crystal-clear precision and confidence. The timid girl whom fans first saw during the Season 10 auditions was no more. An evolution has occurred.

While Idol concerts from seasons past have followed a format of counting down from the top 10 finisher to the winner, this year’s show was more varied. Another delightful change: As each singer took a turn in the spotlight, other contestants played the role of backup.

This gimmick worked particularly well during Jessica Sanchez’s rendition of “Rollin’ on the River,” because Joshua Ledet and DeAndre Brackensick on backup showed off some highly energetic, impressive dancing skills. Complete with synchronized booty shaking.

Other highlights: Erika Van Pelt’s haunting version of Pink’s “Glitter in the Air;” anything Colton Dixon did, as he was clearly a crowd favorite (with good reason); Heejun Han’s hilarious rap solo and funky dance moves; and Ledet, who brought us to church — and brought the house down — with an incredible take on “It’s a Man’s World.”

By the time the show was wrapping up and the singers stood before the crowd in their white and (mostly) sequined attire, one fact became clear: Last season, the judges and America got it quite right.